In his "Producer's Note" in the beautiful book that is part of the box, Lemieux, who attended the first 10 shows on the tour, states, "To my ears this was the last tour that was consistently great, where every show is excellent, not a dud in the bunch." And Grateful Dead historian Dennis McNally's comprehensive and informative insider's essay in the box is titled "The Last Great Dead Tour." These guys know what they're talking about.

Basically, the band had been on an upward trajectory since Garcia's return to the road in the spring of '87, following his near-death the previous summer. Of course, 1987 was a trip in itself, what with the unexpected mega-success of In the Dark and their first hit single, "Touch of Grey." But the momentum just kept building with each subsequent tour, as Garcia got back up to full speed (and then some!) and the group as a whole was as unified as they had ever been since Brent joined the band in the spring of '79. New original tunes were popping up and the old favorites were imbued with a freshness and spirit that was so uplifting and inspiring. The band was having fun again, and it was downright infectious.

The group's fall 1989 shows-as documented two years ago on the Formerly the Warlocks box (two shows from Hampton, VA, 10/8-9/89) and on the 2001 release Nightfall of Diamonds (a single night in NJ, 10/16/89)- kicked the energy level up another couple of notches, as the band reintroduced such loved classics as "Help on the Way" > "Slipknot!," "Attics of My Life," "Death Don't Have No Mercy" and "Dark Star."

And when the band hit the road in mid-March 1990, they had a bunch of other cool tunes to lay on their unsuspecting crowds, including the return of "Loose Lucy" (last played in 1974; it's not on this box), Brent's "Easy to Love You" (missing since 1980), a rollicking cover of the Rolling Stones' "The Last Time," The Band's "The Weight" (with all four singers taking a verse each) and a lyrically retooled "Black-Throated Wind" (absent since 1974), which elicited huge cheers every time it was played.

Over these six shows, most of the cornerstones of the Dead's repertoire from the era appear-splendid versions of "Scarlet Begonias" > "Fire on the Mountain," "China Cat Sunflower" > "I Know You Rider," "Playing in the Band," "Uncle John's Band," "Eyes of the World," "Estimated Prophet," "Truckin'," "Sugar Magnolia," "The Other One," "Terrapin," "Stella Blue," "Feel Like a Stranger," "Bird Song," "Let It Grow," "China Doll," "Box of Rain," "Morning Dew"; you name it. From the fall '89 breakouts come "Help-Slip-Frank," "Attics of My Life" and "Death Don't Have No Mercy." Among the still newish tunes are "Picasso Moon," "Blow Away," "Foolish Heart," "Just a Little Light," "Victim or the Crime," "Standing on the Moon," "We Can Run" and a couple that would get their final plays from the Grateful Dead on this tour-"Built to Last" and "Believe It or Not." There are stirring renditions of "Dear Mr. Fantasy" and "Black Muddy River," rockin' takes on "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Iko Iko" and the only version of the full "Hey Jude" the band attempted in the modern era. And the "Rhythm Devils" and "Space" jams at the heart of each second set are as noisy-beautiful-scary-funny-intense-mysterious-wild as you'd expect/hope for.

Of course, we understand that some of you may have other favorite shows from this tour you wish were included on this box. Really, you can't go wrong with any of them. But at 18 discs, this is still the second largest Grateful Dead box (after Europe '72: The Complete Recordings) that's been released, and the non-inclusion of any other shows from the tour definitely does not preclude their future release! But this seemed like a more manageable way to go, while still giving a sense of the tour's amazing depth and breadth.

Besides the discs themselves, Grateful Dead: Spring 1990 has much to offer, including: a gorgeous 60-page hardcover book containing copious color photos by Jim Anderson and Michael Laurentus, unique artwork by Brooklyn-based fine artist Wes Lang, fascinating business letters and communications related to the tour, a detailed historical essay by Dennis McNally, a Producer's Note by David Lemieux and individual show descriptions by Blair Jackson; a reproduction of the Dead's 1990 tour program (printed and sold later in '90, for the fall and Europe '90 tours); tickets and backstage passes of all six shows; a band publicity photo from 1990 by Ken Friedman; Dennis McNally's tour laminate; and reproductions of the colored 8x10 sheets GDTS sent out with hotel, food and other information for each city on the tour.

With recordings made by longtime Grateful Dead recordist and producer John Cutler, mastered by Jeffrey Norman in HDCD, you just know it's gonna sound great-and it does!

So, that's the skinny this time 'round. This box is limited to just 9,000 numbered copies - please note, this is the only time these shows will ever be officially available on CD. There will not be an All Music Edition and single shows will not be available physically. Due to ship out August 31st, we anticipate that this extraordinary set will sell-out, so order your copy today!

If you're looking for more of a bite-sized taste of the '90s, Spring 1990: So Glad You Made It, a 2-CD set featuring a handful of favorites, will be in stores on September 18th.

Disc 1
1. Feel Like A Stranger [8:12]
2. West L. A. Fadeaway [7:41]
3. Easy To Love You [6:14]
4. Beat It On Down The Line [3:34]
5. It Must Have Been The Roses [6:29]
6. The Last Time [5:40]
7. Picasso Moon [7:07]
8. Don't Ease Me In [3:30]

As much as I would love to own this amazing-looking limited edition box set, I just can't wave bye-bye to $199.98-plus-S&H. Just. Can't. Do it. I did, however, opt for a pre-order of "Spring 1990: So Glad You Made It," so I'm still helping the cause, right? It's the same issue with all music edition of "Europe '72: The Complete Recordings." I can want it to infinity and back, but I just can't allow myself to spend that much dough. So I did the next best thing: buy "Europe '72" and "Europe '72, Vol. 2."

One of the exciting parts of these 1990 spring tour shows is the section of the second set after the last song of the first half where the band 'jams' into the Rhythm Devils protion of the nights performance, afterwhich there is a portion only noted on the 3/15/90 Terrapin Station Limited release, where master psychedelic programmer Bob Bralove would interact with the drummers(Mickey) and then segue into the space portion of the show.

As with the "My Mind Just Left My Body" jams in China Cat, Dark Star and the Mock Turtle jam on 3/15/90, are these "And" sections part of these shows in the box or is it a rare occurance and something I need to research more to find.

Countdown to release 14 days.

Less than 3,000 copies left as of yesterday 8/16 (anniversary of the Dead's appearance at Woodstock - Pig's 40 minute lovelight rap)

I am thankful for the releases in such fine quality, but the way they are marketed makes them too expensive for me to pay for in big chunks. Could you please sell them by concert, and release all of them. I am getting old and in the way, but need some good lovin' from you all. I hope help is on the way. I'll be dead before I get to hear some of my favorite shows, such as 5/13/78 Spectrum, Philly. Also, couldn't they be downloadable as well as in packages? I don't know how you do what you do, just some friendly suggestions from a loyal fan of things Jerry and the Boys.

As a Huge Head, and a buyer of all things Jerry from dead.net (the E'72 box, Dick's and Dave's picks, and much more) I am saddened by the blatant capitalization and commercialization of the archive. We were told of E'72's "exclusiveness" and subsequently found out the individual concerts would also be made available. You are again using this ploy. You are damaging my 40+ year relationship with the Dead with this greedy behavior. I will pass on Spring 1990. I hope you pass on this word.

It is beyond belief that we are spoon fed a little piece of grateful dead music at a time. Holy crap I am going to be dead and gone by the time we have a total of two years released...had to count '72. Really I don't understand it as we, the most loyal, have to grow old and wait for sound board quality disc....my tape are old and I am not going to break them out....i suspect there are other sources, but why not her.

JUST RELEASE ALL THE MUSIC..........sorry it may effect your job but we are the customers and we are getting old and dying.......seriously this it a bunch of.......

I've ordered just about every official release. I have no complaints about products or service. Great job on bringing us the music we love! Sure there are things I would have done differently, but overall I'm very pleased. Looking forward to getting these shows.
Peace.

Dicks Picks Vol One - $25 on amazon
One From The Vault - $37 on amazon
Terrapin Station 3/15/90 Limited Ed. - $87 on amazon
E72 Complete - $1,400 on amazon
Fillmore West 69 complete - $1,600 on amazon
Dave's Picks Volume 3 - $74 on amazon
this is the only problem with limited release.

One more topic

View from the vault

July 90, June 91, June 90, July 87

How come there are no video of this Spring Tour
Now that would have been a box.
Six shows - 18 cds - 6 dvds for $300 with a run of 15,000.

but we are happy with the six shows
the 3/15/90 (Phil's B-day) is
a great release still after 15 years
The boys are in perfect form.
Each song is a masterpiece in itself.
Brent is way up in the mix.
And the whole band is contributing.
Love the "WE WANT PHIL" chant before the TThumbBlues

People have been speculating about how this is selling. According to a dead.net email, they have sold 6,000 of the 9,000 boxes.

IMO, it is an absolute certainty that individual shows will be available to purchase via download:

"This is the only time these shows will ever be officially available on CD. There will not be an All Music Edition and single shows will not be available physically."

How else could you possibly read that?

I'm glad that some of the folks who have been so vocal about wanting a '90s box are putting their money where their mouth is. Not my cup of tea, but, hey, I don't have to love every box. I'm glad there are a lot of people excited about this. Hopefully for Rhino's sake, there are 3,000 more who are excited. ;-)

I have purchased every single release that Dead.net has offered over the years. I've had a few shaky experiences but overall everything ended up O.K. Most of my issues have always had to do with Customer Service, and generally they have been handled on an acceptable level. Things such as a double order being mistakenly created and dealing with an offshore call center that I'm sure had no idea of what the Dead we're all about. The Europe 72 project had left me hesitant of ordering other things, mainly due to the whole ordering process. If I recall, I didn't even know if I had a set on the way until 2 weeks after I placed my order. and I ordered about an hour into the first evening. (Conversely , I ordered this set on my iphone with a skeptical signal at best, when I was away from home andI still had a painless ordering process!) When I got my E72 set, every disc skipped on my Sony SACD player. I un-boxed a second, brand new SACD player of the same model, and the discs also skipped. Yet they played fine in all my other players. None of my friends reported skipping. The problem was not with the discs, but with the model of player that didn't like these discs. I purchased a new player. Although I wasn't happy to have to do this the discs were not defective, it was the player I was using. However, before I plunked down more money for another high end machine, Charlie Miller and others suggested using a program like EAC to test the discs. Great advice. I did and ALL checked out fine. I posted my findings on the Europe 72 thread so anyone that wanted to get piece of mind could also test their own set for flaws.. Now when I buy a set or a few cd's I don't have time to listen to, the first thing I do is open up the free EAC program and test my discs. So really time is not a problem. I'll do this set in an hour.

Anywhere, website or brick and mortar, that I have purchased cassettes, CD's, DVD, or software, the policy was the same. Once you open it you can't return it; you can only exchange the defective product for one that is not. Why? So people don't make an illegal copy and then return it for their purchase price, aka. piracy...

Rhino purposefully trying to put out a defective product for the whole sake of wanting to screw the buyers, just doesn't ring true to me. It seems to me that enough people who love the Dead, like Dave L. are still on board to ensure that these projects keep coming through. They don't want to be associated with a bad product or experience either and would rather see the Dead's music be treated in a respectful manner. They are also fans.

I can't wait for the release. Thanks again, guys for getting these projects out.

@ cosmicbadger
I could not agree with you more (even while awaiting DaP3 in the Netherlands...) and I could not have put it better.

Yes, things go wrong from time to time, but in the end problems are solved and I dare anyone to believably put forward an example of a mistake that was not corrected by Rhino referring to any clause in their terms of service.

Yes, they probably could and should have worded it a little better, Anna rRxia and fluffanutter have a point, legally speaking, but speaking musically, I'd say:
Who do you love? >
Do not stop on tracks >
Good lovin' >
Dark star >
You win again

I have been a pretty harsh critic of the store here and with good reason. I have experienced too many foul ups and I am also paying massive international shipping costs for the privelege. But these guys have clearly learnt something from the clusterfuck that was Europe 72 and are trying to fix it

They have created a special ordering system from the start to avoid crashing the creaky normal system (note the current problems with delivering DaP3)
They announced it when they are sure about producing it, not as a speculative offer. So the gap between ordering and shipping is (in theory) much shorter.
The CDs appear to be packaged in digipacks not feeble sleeves
They have included lots of emphemeral bits and pieces, as were promised but not delivered with E72 (not to my liking but....)
The ordering stage seems to have gone without a hitch
An important question about provenance of the recording has been answered. You may not approve or agree but the answer is there.
The wording of the legal stuff does look misleading and should be corrected, but I really do not believe that they are trying to avoid liability for defective product. I am sure that even in the USA there are laws that protect the consumer and give you a right to get what you pay for.
They have not underestimated the demand this time, so now folks who are slow off the mark are not missing out.
The price is on the high side (especially with high shipping costs) but just tolerable for me and many others (so the accountants would say they have pitched it just right) . It is the same per show as the two WInterland sets and you do get the ingredients to assemble a seventh show.
The choice of shows and design artist etc is really a matter of taste.
A highlights version is available
No single shows which is a shame, but the door is left open for downloads later.
Good versions of all these shows are widely traded and will continuie to be. At least one of the traded shows is even from John Cutlers DAT!
If you are inclined to do so you will be able to steal this music without much problem within a week of it being released and with virtually no chance of getting caught.

So thus far around 8.5/10 I would say. and a great improvement ....but I'm not holding my breath. A lot of the bad feeling here comes from nice people who have been really shabbily treated (NOT all whiners and haters)...it will take them some time to trust this process again. Rhino/Deadnet really do need to get it just exactly perfect this time...or very nearly so.

wow I am in a charitable mood....maybe because I just made myself the most delicious plate of spaghetti and home made meatballs washed down with a glass of nice red wine.

Well,
Anna rRxia and fluffanutter have show their true colors with this "fine print legal" gambit -- they aren't just "complainers" -- they are haters.

It is a mystery why Anna rRxia's comments are still permitted here at all: Her first post on this board, at 4:41pm 8/1, was a promise to steal, rather than buy this box set: "sorry rhino, you can't fool me again. i'll wait for somebody to rip the discs for me."

Why is this commenter allowed to continue here, Marye??

If ANYONE believes Rhino/GD intend to not replace, at their own expense, defective merchandise, you are either a fool or being fooled by these clown liars.

My own experience with Rhino/GD is very much like that expressed by scott1129: I have bought EVERY SINGLE set released. There have been ALMOST NO problems with anything. The very, very few problems were FIXED QUICKLY and kindly, at no cost to me.

Compared to Rhino/GD, I wouldn't trust fluffanutter or AnnarRxia farther than I can throw them, and I'm a big wimp.

In the event that you receive a defective physical Product, provided that you return such defective physical Product to us within 30 working days following your receipt of such Product (as determined pursuant to Section 4 above), we will (on your election) either send you a replacement physical Product, or provide you with a full refund. We will cover the cost of any defective physical Product returned by you up to the value of standard USPS first class postage

So either the single paragraph refers to wo separate things: Replacement or refund of the original cost of the product at your discretion. But then, full refund is further defined in the same paragraph as:

We will cover the cost of any defective physical Product returned by you up to the value of standard USPS first class postage.

THE COST OF ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT
NOT
THE COST OF SHIPPING TO YOUR DOOR ANY DEFECTIVE PRODUCT
(Nothing tortures there, they simply define their liability as to the worth of returned product)

Such a great box set of later GD shows. And I LOVE this type of CD packaging, very nice and much better than just the slip pocket type. I have gotten so may sweet box sets in the past years and they hold up so well. Winterland 77 is constantly being abused, and it still is holing up perfectly. I also LOVE the little extras they put in the larger box set. The buttons that came in the Winterland box sets, the cool tickets and postcard photos from Formally the Warlocks box set, not to mention the wooden box it came in. Keep it up, we want MORE!

Good points, frampton, and nice catch on the apparent typo in the phrasing. Hopefully that will be corrected. I think and I hope that overall, the voices of reason on this forum pipe up often enough to counteract the fluffanutter effect that is so prevalent.

When you say, "Therefore, if your receive a defective shipment your recourse is never larger than $13 and change. Period, end of discussion," you're absolutely wrong. The sentence "We will cover the cost of any defective physical Product returned by you up to the value of standard USPS first class postage", I think it's clear that there was a mistake, and it means "We will cover the cost of SHIPPING any defective physical Product returned by you up to the value of standard USPS first class postage." The meat of Paragraph 5 says it will provide you with a **full refund**. It makes no sense to tie the "full refund" to the shipping cost -- the only way the shipping cost sentence makes sense is to read it as saying they will cover your postage costs incurred in returning the defective item, up to the amount of USPS first-class charges. (So they won't for example, cover overnight shipping fees.)

And the reference to Paragraph 4 is about the calculation of the 30 days, not the "unopened" part.

Sure, maybe you want a reason not to do business with Rhino, that's your prerogative. But don't be spinning tortured readings of the legal notices to scare folks away from buying. If Rhino were to argue your reading of the notice in court, they'd get laughed out of court. Hopefully, someone will read this and fix that sentence, but until they do, nobody should think that Rhino has somehow protected themselves from liability to replace defective items.

My experience with Dead.net has been similar to Scott1129. I've bought all the boxes, except "The Warlocks", and all but a handful of the Dicks Picks, Road Trips, and now Dave's Picks. I've only had one missing or duplicate disc (can't remember) and a replacement was sent immediately. That was an early Dick's Picks, probably over 10 years ago. Everything else has been just fine. Just my experience...

>>> In the event that you receive a defective physical Product, provided that you return such defective physical Product to us within 30 working days following your receipt of such Product (as determined pursuant to Section 4 above), we will (on your election) either send you a replacement physical Product, or provide you with a full refund. We will cover the cost of any defective physical Product returned by you up to the value of standard USPS first class postage <<<.

This would seem to indicate:
A) Per paragraph 4, the packaging must be unopened to be leigible for refund
B) If determined to be eligible for refund the amount will not be in any case larger than the amount to have originally sent it first class USPS standard postage.

So, if you paud $13 in change for postage and it is found to be defective, and Rhino agrees, they accept responsibility for no more than !13 and change. The whole thing is purposefully unclear and meant to confuse. It boils down to:

>>> If determined to be eligible for refund the amount will not be in any case larger than the amount to have originally sent it first class USPS standard postage. <<<

Therefore, if your receive a defective shipment your recourse is never larger than $13 and change. Period, end of discussion

"So, say you opened up you long anticipated box set and are psyched to play it but there is a problem. You have three disc 7s or a big scratch on disc 9. According to the terms listed above you have no recourse to remedy your problem. Once you have opened the box, that is all she wrote."

That's not what paragraph 5 says; the reference to paragraph 4 is about the timing, not about the opening of the product. (You couldn't tell it was defective without opening it!) Paragraph five says you get a refund, or replacement. The only thing that says anything about opened items is cancellation of purchase, NOT replacement of defective items.

Most of the CS comments here have the negitive flavor of ..
But I have had a different experience.
The first time was not even a dead product but the Chicago IV box.
Which came with two Disc 3's and no Disc 4.
But Dr. Rhino fixed the problem with a new Disc 4 and I still have the extra Disc 3.
Next
The Beyond Description Box,
The Shakedown Street disc was defective and they sent me a new Shakedown disc
before I received the Box Set (was about two years after the release date that I bought the set)
Next
The 3rd Road Trips had glue on the edge of the second disc.
Was replaced with in two weeks of the original shipping date.
All the box sets
Fillmore 69
Winterland 73
Winterland 77
Warlocks 89
E72
All the DicksPicks
All The Road Trips
All The Dave's Picks
All the View From The Vaults
All The Vault series (one from, two from, 2/11/69, Ladies and.., Dozin' at ..., Truckin' up.... Crimson, ... GD movie, Winterland 78)
The Dead 2003 summer tour
The Dead 2009 tour
Furthur Shows from 09, 10, and 11
all these releases and every one a gem.
So glad I have these as I continue to go back and listen again to such masterfully played songs
So if you get confused,
Just listen to the music play

Please read the following legalese carefully, as Unkle Sam has suggested:

4. Cancelling Your Purchase. Except with respect to Products consisting of downloads and/or tickets, you have a right to cancel your Transaction(s) and receive a full refund, provided that (a) such Product(s) are unopened (i.e., in original sealed packaging) and undamaged and (b) you notify us of such cancellation Contact DA 877-332-3638 or 610-491-2021 or via email to deadnet@custhelp.com within 30 working days beginning with the day after the day on which you received such Product(s). If you cancel a purchase pursuant to these Transaction Terms, you must return such Product(s) to us undamaged within 30 working days beginning with the day after the day on which we received your valid cancellation notice. Returned Products will be deemed to have been received by us on the date that is two (2) days (not including Sundays and public holidays) after the post-mark date applicable to such returned Products. We will not be responsible for any costs you incur in returning any Product(s) to us. If you fail to comply with the return obligations set forth herein, we will be entitled to deduct from any refund the direct cost of recovering the unreturned Product(s). Please note that if such cost is greater than the total refund amount, then no refund shall be given. All refunds will be processed at our sole discretion according to the condition of the returned Product(s).

>>> You have no right of cancellation in the event that you have unsealed (i.e., opened) Products received from us. Tickets and downloads purchased are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. <<<

5. Defective Products. In the event that you receive a defective physical Product, provided that you return such defective physical Product to us within 30 working days following your receipt of such Product (as determined pursuant to Section 4 above), we will (on your election) either send you a replacement physical Product, or provide you with a full refund. We will cover the cost of any defective physical Product returned by you up to the value of standard USPS first class postage. Contact DA 877-332-3638 or 610-491-2021 or via email to deadnet@custhelp.com

So, say you opened up you long anticipated box set and are psyched to play it but there is a problem. You have three disc 7s or a big scratch on disc 9. According to the terms listed above you have no recourse to remedy your problem. Once you have opened the box, that is all she wrote. Given the dead.net stores record for producing a mistake-free experience it is highly, highly unlikely they will have a perfect record and are setting up innocent people to take the fall for their own mistakes, Given this, I wouldn't go anywhere near this iron-clamp trap.

I understand why this has happened, Because Rhino delivered an insanely inferior product with E-72 and never wants to take a hit ever again for the mistakes they have made. How sad. The rest of the professional business world does not work on this model and people willing to bet they will win a lottery where the product arrives in perfect condition really have great, if misguided, faith.

No doubt the sound on this set will be fabulous. I hope the packaging is deluxe.....not the flimsy paper sleeves that you have to tear open to remove the discs that are trapped inside that the Europe '72 set had!!!!! That would be a real shame........wouldn't it?

I can't believe how excited I am about this release. This from a grouchy middle-aged Deadhead that has mostly ignored, dismissed, or outright poo-poo-ed the whole Brent-era for more that 32 years. I'm listening a lot to Terrapin Limited and if this release is on the same level we are really in for a treat! Live and learn!

The big problem people had re: Europe 72 "accoutrements" was primarily because what was promised/advertised and what not what was delivered. Another thing that is different this time around is that the lead time is totally different. With E72 they wanted to be sure that they'd get the minimum 3,000 orders to get into production and all the packaging/etc. was preliminary with 7,200 being the the cap. Demand was off the charts and they caved-in to demand by going with the "All Music Edition." And we had to wait nearly 9 months to get it.

With Spring 90 it seems that this thing is pretty much at the assembly stage and getting warehoused for delivery. The 9,000 copies is a given. No testing the waters, no preliminary artwork, no All Music Edition - what you see if what you're gonna get.

And a point of debate regarding the playing between the eras... No one has mentioned that among the 22 shows for E72 there were about 60 distinct songs played. For Spring 90 we will be getting about 80 distinct songs among just 6 shows. I believe this concentration of songs in the repertoire has to be a factor in how well each show was played in the earlier years vs. the later years. Plus, there was no rehearsal discipline if I remember right. I appreciate the variety in the setlists and the looseness in the playing we'll get on Spring 1990.

Personally, it's releases like this that I look forward to the most. Besides the rest of this tour NOT included in this Spring '90 box (particularly 3/14 and 3/29), 8/27/72 Field Trip seems like the next big unreleased show that is traditionally listed among the the all time favorites. I wonder how many, if any of the early May '77 shows are in the vault?

When and if 8/27/72 gets the CD/DVD/Blueray release nod, there will certainly be complainers on that one as well. It's like that one guy from the Grateful Dead Movie who complained about the Grateful Dead making a movie. I would have paid the price of 10 box sets just to see the look on the complaining guys face, seeing himself for the first time in the GD Movie. Priceless...

People can't say or do anything I don't want them to and it really pisses me off that they do. People have to like what I like and if they don't they are all a bunch of losers who should have their privileges to make comments revoked until they are of the same opinion as me. Further, no one should make any conjecture at all on the intentions of Warner Brothers or offer any opinion about what any of their subsidiaries might produce and when it might become unavailable.

I have been a member of the Dead community for OVER 40 years and no one has a right to differ with anything I say. I am the holder of the orthodoxy and My Word Fills The Sky With Flame!!!

I have been a member of the Dead community for about 40 years. I usually just read the posts here, without saying much. But after reading what has been said here since the announcement of offering, I must say I am amazed! It is quite obvious, that whatever is offered, now, or in the future, there will be those that are unhappy with it for whatever reason.
I saw many shows over the years and I have many shows on cd. Some are better then others but none are bad. The Dead on an off night, are still better then most bands on a good night. When the Europe '72 box set came out, some folks complained about the lack of doodads. Now the doodads are included here, and some people are complaining about that. Rhino has been releasing a lot of '70's show and people asked for something else. So now Rhino offers an excellent box of late Brent shows and some folks complain about that.
I am a 70's fan myself, but I think this is a great set of shows from a great tour. Sure, some recordings are better then others, but look at Dick's Picks. They were marked "caveat emptor"., buyer beware, since they were not all prettied up. I love them all! Sure, I like some better then others, but that is just the nature of the beast.
Rhino is a business, a "for profit" business. So I just wish folks would stop complaining about them making a reasonable profit. Who ever promised you that the Grateful Dead were all about giving you everything you want for free? I could not buy the Europe '72 box due to the fact that I just did not have the dollars at that time. I have since picked up 3 or 4 shows and I am very happy with that. If you do not like this offering, or you can not afford it today, ok, we understand. But don't slam Rhino or the folks who do like this offering and are going to buy it. There will always be more in the future so you can sit back and wait on the next offering. I myself am stoked for this one and I can't wait to get it.
And anyone who trys to predict sales of this one are just deluding themselves. It will sell out for sure so who cares how long it takes? Eventually it will and that will be the end of your chance to get it at this price. Rock on Dead Heads and casual fans too! Just be happy that Rhino & the Grateful Dead are making these offerings for those who do want them and are happy to have them, like me! 9000 units for the world is a VERY small percentage.

Attempting to forecast the sales of this box set based on the posters in this thread would be futile. Most people do not feel the need to post a comment before purchasing and the negative posters only represent a very small portion of the Dead community.

Spring '90 was incredible and this is going to be a nice size treasure for those who get it.

Lemieux almost never says anything officially about the count sold, other than perhaps an update when they are close to selling out. That is not to say he doesn't answer people who ask him questions. I would really be surprised if 4500 units have been sold. I don't know how many of the 9000 produced are freebies for the band, promotional purposes, record industry & Rhinoids involved in the process and such. That probably is around 300. So, of the 8700 actually up for sale to the public, given the response here, I would be floored if there were 4500 actually sold.

I think that a sell-out on 8/19/12 is wildly, wildly optimistic. I hope I'm wrong. I think this is an excellent product from a great period for the band. But the price is prohibitive and holding back sales. I stick by my estimate of a 90 day sellout. We'll certainly know as there will be a "SOLD OUT" update for this item. I think a 90 day sell out of 9000 units for a band that has not performed for 17 years is truly marvelous and testament to their enduring popularity.

Having said all that, by all means, buy this thing now if you absolutely must have it. Somebody on this thread has said Grateful Dead CD packages are a great investment with a proven history. If there is a businessman out there with an Am-Ex black card he could buy every last unit and then have them up for sale on E-Bay on Monday morning for $500 each. Not likely, but it could happen. Don't say you weren't warned....

Funny how many folks seem to "know" whether or not, and how much, Rhino might make from this release. Yes some of you have identified the expenses, but have NO IDEA what they might be! Production costs, well not much there. Promotion, I assume it is limited more or less to this web-site. Payments to technicians, producers, authors, the band----who knows?!? Given my experience in publishing and music production, and the production of art books, I would be surprised if total production costs were over $30-$40 a unit. Of course it is possible I am totally off base for some unforseen reason. Lets face it, if there were not profit in it, why would it be done, seeing that the product, in a sense, is already easily available. This is not a complaint, just a fact. My guess, but it is certainly just that, is that there is a healthy profit margin built in, as there usually is with "special" boxes that contain lots of stuff with very low production costs, and little residual costs (stickers, reproductions of material that the company owes the copyright to, and so on). Hey, if you want it, buy it!

I have emailed Dave Lemieux and he advised that the boxes were more than 50% sold as of Monday the 6th. His estimation is that there are 30% or less available at this time which would be 3000 boxes or so. I imagine it will be sold out befor the end of next week if not sooner. Get it if you are on the fence......cheers.

Are you just having fun with us, Anna? There has to be more than 250 sets sold. At least that many people seem to have commented on how happy they are about this release, or at least willing enough to purchase it. I would guess, as someone else did, that it is about halfway to being sold out, if not closer. I hope I'm wrong because I think the price is too high for the amount of discs, and I hope Rhino lowers the price per disc for the next box. I won't get into my argument or "whine" about it anymore, though. :)

But I do agree with the comment that no one from Rhino is getting "rich" from this. 9000 x $200 = $1.8m, a good chunk of which is going to the band, engineers, employees, other costs. Definitely not a windfall leftover after everythings's been paid. Rhino, like everyone else, deserves to get paid. It just won't be with my money this time. Most people who bought this one will enjoy it though. These are very good shows from a very good tour, possibly the peak of late-era Dead.

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